Chain link making machine



Dec. 7, 1965 E. w. ONULAK CHAIN LINK MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed Dec. 10, 1957 yfirunsw HHIJAM oz mmu w INVENTOR. Eugenew. Onulak @at a 5 A 7' TORNLE Y5 Dec. 7, 1965 E. w. ONULAK 3,221,490

CHAIN LINK MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 10, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 24/ Q arm/W INVENTOR guqene LU, Onulak ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1965 E. w. ONULAK3,221,490

CHAIN LINK MAKING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 10, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTO'R.

Eugene LU,On ulak.

ATTO

United States Patent 3,221.,4a0 CHAEN LINK MAKING MACHINE Eugene W.Onulak, Huntington, Ind, assignor to The Locke Steel Chain \Coinpany,Huntington, Ind, a corporation of Connecticut Driginal application Dec.10, 1957, Ser. No. 701,814, now Patent No. 3,663,237, dated Nov. 13,1962. Divided and this application Apr. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 185,624

19 Claims. (Cl. 59-13) This is a division of application Serial No.701,814, filed December 10, 1957, now Patent No. 3,063,237 grantedNovember 13, 1962, in the name of Eugene W. Onulak.

This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming integralchain links adapted to be joined together to form a conveyor or similarchain.

The invention is particularly adapted to form chain links of a typesimilar to those shown in United States Patent No. 2,793,536. Such alink is formed from a blank having longitudinally extending legs oneither side of a cylindrically shaped hollow bushing. This bushing isformed by a separate apparatus, such as that shown in United StatesPatent No. 2,968,913, which may be set up so as to feed the blanks tothe magazine of the instant apparatus, and thus form a single continuousmachine. In bending the legs of the blank to a position where theyenclose the bushing and are generally parallel to each other, it isimperative that the fold at the juncture be formed so that the metal atthe fold is not weakened to any significant degree. Also, it isdesirable to have a relatively sharp bend at the proper place withoutthe bend being too sharp. It has been found that by first partiallybending the legs, and then completing the bending of the legs byutilizing force which is both downward and inward, there is no materialweakening of the link at the fold line and also the fold will be at theproper place.

It is also important, in the formation of integral chain links, that thedistance between the axis of the cylindrical bushing and the hole whichis formed in the free ends of the legs be uniform in each chain linkwhich is formed. To accomplish this result, this invention provides amethod and an apparatus for properly positioning the blank so that thehole is pierced at a predetermined distance from the axis of thebushing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a continuous machine forbending the legs of a blank to a position where the legs enclose thecylindrical bushing of the link and are perpendicular to the axis ofsaid bushing, and for piercing holes in the free ends of the legs apredetermined distance from said bushing.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method for formingchain links in which the strength of the link adjacent the fold linesbetween the bushing and the legs is not materially affected.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method forpositioning the blanks so that holes are pierced in the legs of allblanks an equal and predetermined distance from their respectivebushings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mechanism forproperly positioning a blank prior to the piercing of the legs thereof,so that all of the links passing through the mechanism have holespierced in their legs an equal and predetermined distance from theirrespective bushings.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a mechanismfor properly positioning the blank, which mechanism first depresses theblank below its piercing position and then gradually raises the link bypositioning pins, so that all the links will have their legs pierced anequal and predetermined distance from the axis of the bushing.

The apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blank having acylindrical bushing thereon and legs eX- tcnding outwardly from saidbushing includes means for partially bending the legs adjacent theirjuncture with the bushing and means for bending the partially bent legsto a position perpendicular to the axis of the bushing and generallyparallel to each other. Means are also provided for piercing holes inthe free ends of the completely bent legs a predetermined distance fromthe axis of the bushing.

In a further aspect, it has been found desirable to have a continuousmachine with various stations through which each blank is fedsequentially by reciprocating feeding slides, so that all of the meansset forth in the paragraph above will operate simultaneously ondifferent blanks.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages hereof willbecome apparent from the following description and drawings which aremerely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric schematic view of the apparatus of the inventionwith certain parts omitted for clarity;

FIG. 1a is an enlarged schematic view of the magazine feeding mechanismutilized in the invention, when in its non-feed position;

FIG. 1b is a view similar to FIG. 1a showing the parts in their feedposition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the parial folding mechanismprior to its operation on a chain link;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the parts in their positionafter the legs of the chain link are partial- 1y bent;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a chain link of a blank of the typeutilized in the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the final folding mechanism;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a bushing being held in position in thefolding dies of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the positioning and piercing mechanismof the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a completed chain link;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the link of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are views showing various steps in the positioningand piercing operations of the device of FIG. 7, in which FIG. 10 showsthe mechanism prior to the depression of the link;

FIG. 11 shows the mechanism after the depression of the link; and

FIG. 12 shows the mechanism after the link is raised into properposition by the mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of an arrangement wherein the piercing isperformed on both legs simultaneously; and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic side elevational View of the positioning andpiercing station.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred form of apparatus forforming chain links of the type shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 from a blank ofthe type shown in full lines in FIG. 4. The apparatus generally includesa feeding mechanism, shown at 29, a first folding station, a secondfolding station, and two piercing stations. It may also include a sizingoperation after the second foldiug station. The blanks B are fedstep-by-step through the apparatus by feeding slides designated in FIG.1 as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd feeding slides. All of the feeding slidesreciprocate in unison so that the blanks are advanced a step at a timethrough the apparatus during the forward stroke of the reciprocatingslides, thereby resulting in continuous operation of the entireapparatus at all times.

The feeding mechanism 20 includes a horizontal magazine or table 21having a recessed portion 22 in which the cylindrical bushing 23 ofblanks B are placed. The

magazine is mounted above the plane of the remainder of the apparatusand is spaced rearwardly from the entrance end of the apparatus. A pairof inclined rods 24 connect the forward end of the magazine to therearward end of the apparatus so that blanks which are fed by feedingmeans (not shown) to the rods move downwardly by gravity. The lead orlowest blank is engaged by an upwardly urged, vertically movable stop25. In order to feed the lead blank from the rods into the operatingportion of the apparatus, a plunger 26 (FIGS. 1a, 1b) is provided whichmoves downwardly from its FIG. 1a position to its FIG. lb posit-ionprior to the forward or advance stroke of the first feeding slide. Thedownward movement of plunger 26 forces the lead blank and stopsdownwardly until the legs of the blank come into engagement with thesurface 27. Stops 25 are then below the level of surface 27 where theywill not interfere with the advancement of the lead blank when the firstfeeding slide moves through the advancing portion of it scycle ofoperation. The downward movement of the next succeeding blank isprevented by the vertical face of plunger 26. As plunger 26 movesupwardly from its FIG. lb position to its FIG. 1a position, said nextsucceeding blank moves downwardly to engage stops 25 which have movedupwardly to their FIG. la position. The cycle of feeding is thenrepeated for the next succeeding blank. The structure just describedresults in the advancing of one blank B into the apparatus for eachreciprocatory movement of the feeding slides.

The first feeding slide serves to move the blanks to the first foldingstation, shown generally at 28. As will be described hereafter, at thisstation, the legs 29 of the blank are bent adjacent their juncture withbushing 23 so that they are at an angle to the axis of the bushing. Thisangle is preferably about 45 but may be any desired angle. The angle ischosen so to result in the satisfactory first upsetting of the metaladjacent the bushing. The mechanism preferably used for performing thispartial bending is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and includes alower die member 30 and a vertically movable press member 31.

Lower die member 30 is formed with sloping side walls 32. A block 34mounted in a slot in die member 30 has a cavity in its upper surface forreceiving bushing 23 and is spring pressed upwardly by spring 33 toengage the bottom of bushing 23 and hold legs 29 away from the topsurface of die member 30 when the press member 31 is in it raised orFIG. 2 position.

Press member 31 has an outer portion 35 to which upper die member 36 isfixedly attached. Mounted slidingly within a cavity in portion 35 is aframe member 37 which is biased downwardly by springs 38. Bars or legs39 extend downwardly from frame member 37 and are below the bottom ofupper die member 36 when press member 31 is in its raised or FIG. 2position. Pres member 31 is moved down by suitable means, such as apiston arrangement (not shown).

As press member 31 moves downwardly, the bars 39 engage blank B, thecenter bar, which is preferably resilient, engaging bushing 23 and theouter bars engaging legs 29. Further downward movement of the pressmember depresses blank B and block 34 to properly position the blank andhold it in this position. The continuing downward movement of pressmember 31 causes frame member 37 to move relative to outer portion 35against the action of springs 38, such being closely adjacent thebushing. This results in upper die member 36 engaging the legs 29 sothat they bend the legs downwardly. In order to ensure the properalignment of legs 29 against the sides, upper die member 36 may havedownwardly inclined faces 40. Preferably these faces are formed oninserts 41 which may be replaced as needed.

The blank is then advanced from the first folding station 28 to secondfolding station 42 by the second feeding slide. At this station thepartially bent legs 29 are bent to a position generally perpendicular tothe axis of bushing 23 and enclosing the main portion of the bushing, asshown in FIG. 9. The final bending is accomplished about a lower diemember 43 (FIG. 5) which has sides shaped to conform to the desiredshape of the legs of the completed link. A pair of members 44, pivotedat 45, have inner faces also shaped so as to conform to the shape of thelegs of the completed link. The lower die member has a cavity forreceiving bushing 23 and holding the blank B in proper position. Members44 are generally in the form of a bell crank and may have rollers 47attached to the upper ends of legs 48. Spring 49 biases legs 48 towardeach other. A suitably operated press member 50 is adapted to engagerollers 47. As press member 50 moves downwardly, legs 43 are forced awayfrom each other against the action of spring 49. The lower legs ofmembers 44 are moved inwardly and downwardly as the members are pivotedabout pivots 45. When press member 50 reaches the lowermost portion ofthe stroke, the parts are in the broken line position of FIG. 5.

By first folding the legs 29 to a position where they are inclined at anangle of approximately 45 from the axis of bushing 23 with a verticallydownward force, and then completing the bending of the legs by acombined downward and inward force, it has been found that the juncturesbetween the legs and the bushing of the completed link are substantiallystronger than if the legs were bent by conventional methods.

After completion of the folding of legs 29 the blanks are advanced tothe piercing stations 51 and 52 by the third reciprocating feedingslide. The operations performed at each of these stations are the same,except that they are performed on different legs of blank B.

The mechanism which is preferably used to pierce holes in the free endsof legs 29 is best shown in FIG. 7. The blanks B are moved sequentiallyfrom the folding station 28, to piercing station 51 and then to piercingstation 52, along lower die member 43 during the forward portion of thereciprocating stroke of the third feeding slide. At each of the piercingstations, lower die member 43 has a depression formed in its uppersurface which is slightly wider than the diameter of bushing 23.

As the blank 13 is moved to either of the piercing stations themechanism at the related station is actuated. This mechanism includes avertically reciprocating head 54 upon which is secured a downwardlyextending piston 55 and a pair of downwardly extending bars 56. Thelower ends of bars 56 are formed so as to fit in slots 57 in the machinesupport. Bars 56 have flanges 58 extending perpendicularly thereto.These flanges are inclined downwardly and outwardly so as to form a camsurface. On either side of lower die member 43 there is an element 59which is slidable on upper surface 60 of the machine support. On theouter ends of each of the elements 59 is a U-shaped extension 61 whichextends over the front of its respective flange 58 so that as the bar 56moves up and down in slot 5'7, it will engage either the outer or theinner leg of extensions 61 to move element 59 either outwardly orinwardly relative to the lower die member 43.

As shown in FIG. 7, both of the elements 59 have a pair of positioningpins 62 extending inwardly from an upper portion thereof. These elementshave downwardly and inwardly inclined surfaces 63. Blank B is held abovethe top surface of the depression in the lower die member by a pair ofspring pressed elements 64- which engage the lower edges of legs 29.Spring pressed elements 64 may have an extension 64A fitting in slot 643of base element 43A, which is omitted from FIG. 1 for clarity. Elements64 are urged upwardly by springs 65.,

In the preferred form of mechanism where a hole is punched in one leg ateach of the piercing stations, the appropriate element 59 has a pin 66extending inwardly a predetermined distance below its respective pin 62.A passage 67 is formed in lower die member 43 immediately opposite pin66. This passage provides for the disposal of the metal waste punchedfrom leg 29 by pin 66. If the piercing is to be accomplished at a singlestation as seen in FIG. 13, insert '79 may be provided having crosspassage '71 with vertical passage '72. The projection '73 serves as akey to prevent side motion. Air passages 74 can be used to furnish airto assist the movement of the scrap through passage 72.

The operation at the piercing stations will be described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 which show the position of the operatingelements at various stages in the piercing operation. As head 54 ismoved downwardly by suitable means, a pad 68 on the lower portion ofpiston 55 engages the upper surface of bushing 23 and urges itdownwardly against the upper surface 69 of the depression in lower diemember 43. Pad 63 is preferably formed of a resilient material for apurpose to be described later. As head 54 continues to move downwardly,flanges 58 engage the inner legs of U-shaped members 61 and moveelements 5? inwardly toward blank B. When the lower portion of bushing23 is in engagement with surface 69, the inner surface of the upperportion of bushing 23 is below the upper surface of pins ea. As pins 62continue their inward movement, said upper surface is engaged byinclined faces 63 and blank B is raised a small distance upwardly andpad 68 is compressed. The parts are then in the position seen in FIG. 12where blank B is properly positioned between resilient pad 68 and theupper surface of pins 62.

Further downward movement of head 54 forces pin 66 against itscooperating leg 29 and causes pin 66 to pierce said leg and form a holetherein a predetermined distance p (HS. 8) from the lower surface of theupper portion of bushing 23. The other leg 2 will have a hole punched init at the second piercing station by a mechanism identical with thatjust described, except that pin 66 will be on the element 59 on theopposite side of lower die member 43 and the scrap passage 67 will opento the opposite side of said lower die member.

The particular mode of operation, shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, ofdepressing the blank below the level of the positioning pins 62 and thenraising the blank by the positioning pins against the action of plunger55 and pad 63 results in the exact positioning of the hole in the lowerend of all legs 29 on all blanks which pass through the machine. Thisaccurate positioning is of extreme importance since the completed linksare joined together to form a conveyor chain, and the bushing 23 of eachblank must fit between legs 29, so that the hollow portion ofcylindrical bushing 23 is in accurate alignment with the holes formed inthe lower ends of legs 29 of the adjacent link. This permits the readyinsertion of pins through the holes and the hollow portion of bushing23, so that a chain of desired length may be readily formed.

In order to ensure the proper location of the holes relative to thesides of the legs 29, the lower die has a nest or slot "75 (FIG. 14)formed therein (for each of the positioning and piercing stations) intowhich the legs fit upon depression of the blank at the respectivestation. The slots have been omitted in FIG. 1 in the interests ofclarity since this is a schematic view.

From the above detailed description it can be seen that there has beenprovided a continuous apparatus for forming a one-piece chain link inwhich the legs are bent to a position vertical to the axis of thebushing of the link, without any undue weakening of the juncture. Theapparatus also results in all of the links having holes formed in theends of the legs a predetermined distance from the axis of the bushingthereof. The apparatus described produces links having uniformcharacteristics,

6 so that they may be readily formed into strong and inexpensiveconveyor or drive chains.

It has been found desirable in some instances to burnish the aperturesof the legs 29 preceding the positioning or piercing of the blank at thepiercing station. This may be accomplished by mounting pins (not shown)of proper contour on the piercing slides at a location preceding thepiercing pin locating means and after final folding, thereby shaping thebushing hole.

It is to be understood that the described exemplary embodiment is merelyintended for the purpose of illustration, and that the principles of theinvention are not intended to be limited thereto, except as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

i. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and legs extending outwardly fromsaid bushing, the combination comprising first means for partiallybending said legs adjacent their juncture with said bushing, secondmeans for bending said partially bent legs adjacent said juncture to aposition perpendicular to the axis of said bushing and generallyparallel to each other, means for piercing holes in the free ends ofsaid legs a predetermined distance from the axis of said bushing, andtransfer means between said first and second bending means and saidpiercing means adapted to advance said blank successively between saidbending means and piercing means.

2. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and legs extending outwardly fromsaid bushing, the combination comprising first means for partiallybending said legs adjacent their juncture with said bushing, secondmeans for bending said partially bent legs adjacent said juncture to aposition erpendicular to the axis of said bushing and generally parallelto each other, means for positioning and piercing the free end of one ofsaid legs, means for positioning and piercing the free end of the otherof said legs, and transfer means between said first and second bendingmeans and both said piercing means adapted to advance said blanksuccessively between said bending means and piercing means.

3. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising a diemember having outwardly inclined walls and an upper surface forreceiving said bushing, first press means for bend ing said legs againstsaid inclined walls so as to partially bend said legs adjacent theirjuncture with said bushing, 21 second die member having generallyvertical walls and an upper surface for receiving said bushing, secondpress means for bending said partially bent legs adjacent said junctureto a position enclosing the ends of said bushing and perpendicularthereto, means for positioning and piercing the free end of one of saidlegs, means for positioning and piercing the free end of the other ofsaid legs, and transfer means between said first and second press meansand both said piercing means adapted to advance said blank successivelybetween said press means and piercing means.

4. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising a diemember having downwardly and outwardly inclined walls and an uppersurface for receiving said bushing, first press means which direct adownward force against said legs forcing said legs against saiddownwardly and outwardly inclined walls so as to partially bend saidlegs adjacent their juncture with said bushing, a second die memberhaving generally vertical walls and an upper surface for receiving saidbushing, second press means which direct a downward and inward forceagainst said partially bent legs forcing said legs against said verticalwall so as to bend said legs adjacent said juncture to a positionenclosing the ends of said bushing and perpendicular to the axisthereof, means for positioning and piercing the free end of one of saidlegs, means for positioning and piercing the free ends of the other ofsaid legs, and transfer means between said first and second press meansand both said piercing means adapted to advance said blank successivelybetween said press means and piercing means.

5. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposeite directions from the ends of said bushing, the combinationcomprising a die member having downwardly and outwardly inclined wallsand an upper surface for receiving said bushing, vertically reciprocabledie means including a first pair of press members having downwardly andoutwardly inclined walls adapted to mate with said downwardly andoutwardly inclined walls of said die member, said die means alsoincluding a resiliently mounted holding member having portions extendingbelow said press members when said die means is in its upper position,so that as said die means moves downwardly said portions contact andhold said blank before said press members contact and bend said legs, asecond die member having generally vertical walls and an upper surfacefor receiving said bushing, a pair of spaced pivoted die means havinginwardly facing surfaces adapted to mate with said generally verticalwalls, second press means for pivoting each of said pivoted die meansinwardly so as to bend the legs to a position enclosing the ends of saidbushing and perpendicular to the axis thereof, means for positioning andpiercing the free end of one of said legs, means for positioning andpiercing the free end of the other of said legs, and transfer meansbetween said first and second press means and both said piercing meansadapted to advance said blank successively between said press means andpiercing means.

6. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and a pair of legs extendingoutwardly in opposite directions from said bushing, said legs havingholes adjacent their juncture with said bushing, the combinationcomprising first means for partially bending said legs adjacent theirjuncture with said bushing, second means for bending said partially bentlegs adjacent said juncture to a position perpendicular to the axis ofsaid bushing and generally parallel to each other, so that the holes insaid legs are in alignment with the ends of said bushing, a pair ofhorizontally movable pins adapted to enter said holes and having theirupper surface inclined downwardly, the axis of said pins being above theaxis of said bushing so that as said pins move toward each other toenter said holes the pins urge the blank upwardly to accurately positionthe same, means for piercing holes in the free ends of said legs apredetermined distance from the axis of said bushing, and transfer meansbetween said first and second bending means and said piercing meansadapted to advance said blank successively between said bending meansand piercing means.

7. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and a pair of legs extendingoutwardly in opposite directions from said bushing, said legs havingholes adjacent their juncture with said bushing, the combinationcomprising first means for partially bending said legs adjacent theirjuncture with said bushing, second means for bending said partially bentlegs adjacent said juncture to a position perpendicular to the axis ofsaid bushing and parallel to each other so that the holes in said legsare in alignment with the open ends of said bushing, a die member havingan upper surface adapted to receive said bushing, means resilientlyurging said bushing away from said upper surface, press means forforcing said bushing onto said upper surface, a pair of inwardlymovable,

axially aligned, horizontal pins having inwardly and downwardly inclinedupper faces, the axis of said pins being above the axis of said bushingwhen said bushing is on said upper surface, cam means for moving saidpins inwardly in response to the movement of said press means so thatsaid inclined upper faces contact the upper surface of said bushing andforce said bushing and said legs upwardly to accurately position thesame on said pins, means for piercing a hole in the free end of each ofsaid legs a predetermined distance from said axis of said bushing whilesaid bushing is held in proper position by said pins, and transfer meansbetween said first and second bending means and said piercing meansadapted to advance said blank successively between said bending meansand piercing means.

8. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and legs extending outwardly fromsaid bushing, the combination comprising a first station having meansfor partially bending said legs adjacent their juncture with saidbushing, a reciprocating feeding means for feeding said blanks to saidfirst station, a second station having means for bending said partiallybent legs adjacent said juncture to a position perpendicular to the axisof said bushing and generally parallel to each other, a reciprocatingfeeding slide which contacts said partially bent legs and advances saidblank from said first station to said second station, a third stationhaving means for positioning said blank and means for piercing a hole inthe free end of one of said legs, a fourth station having means forpositioning said blank and means for piercing a hole in the free end ofthe other of said legs, and a reciprocating feeding slide which contactsthe legs of said blank and advances said blank from said second stationto said third station, then to said fourth station and then advances thecompleted link to the discharge end of the apparatus.

'9. An apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blank havinga cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly in oppositedirections from said bushing, the combination comprising a die memberhaving outwardly inclined side walls and an upper surface for receivingsaid bushing, press means for bending said legs against said inclinedwalls so as to partially bend said legs adjacent their juncture withsaid bushing, a first reciprocating feeding slide which contacts saidblank and advances said blank to said die member, a second die memberhaving generally vertical side walls and an upper surface for receivingsaid bushing, second press means for bending said partially bent legsadjacent said juncture to a position enclosing the ends of said bushingand perpendicular thereto, a second reciprocating feeding slide meanswhich contacts said partially bent legs and advances said blank to saidsecond die member, a first station having means for positioning andpiercing the free end of one of said legs, a second station having meansfor positioning and piercing the free end of the other of said legs, anda third re ciprocating feeding slide which contacts the legs of saidblank and advances said blank from said second die member to said firststation and thence to said second station, all of said reciprocatingfeeding slides operating Simultaneously to move the blanks in theapparatus through a single step during each forward reciprocatorymovement of the slides.

10. An apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blank havinga cylindrical bushing thereon and legs extending outwardly from saidbushing, a combination comprising a blank holding magazine, a firststation having means for partially bending said legs adjacent theirjuncture with said bushing, a first reciprocating feeding slide fortransferring said blanks from said magazine to said first station instep-by-step movement, a second station having means for bending saidlegs adjacent their juncture with said bushing, a second recipro- 9cating feeding slide for advancing said blanks from said first stationto said second station in step-by-step movement, a third station havingmeans for positioning said blank and means for piercing holes in thefree ends of said legs, and a third reciprocating feeding slide whichengages said bent legs and advances said blanks from said second stationto said third station in step-by-step movement, all of saidreciprocating feeding slides advancing through one step of operationsimultaneously to move said blanks sequentially through said apparatusso that operations are performed simultaneously at each station ondifferent blanks.

11. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhavin a cylindrical bushing and .a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising a diemember having outwardly inclined walls and an upper surface forreceiving said bushing, first press means adjacent said die member forbending said legs against said inclined walls so as to partially bendsaid legs adjacent their juncture with said bushing, said press meanshaving inclined walls formed so as to mate with the inclined walls ofsaid die member when said press means and said die member are moved intooperative position relative to each other, a second die member havinggenerally vertical walls and an upper surface for receiving saidbushing, second press means for applying a downward and inward forceagainst said partially bent legs so as to bend said legs to a positionenclosing the ends of said bushing and perpendicular thereto, and meansfor transferring said blank between said first and second press means.

12. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising a diemember hav ing downwardly and outwardly inclined walls and an uppersurface for receiving said bushing, press means above said die memberhaving resiliently mounted portions and having a rigidly mounted diewith surfaces adapted to mate with the downwardly and outwardly inclinedwalls of the die member, said die when said press is in its upperposition being above said resiliently mounted positions so that as saidpress means is moved toward said die member said resiliently mountedportions engage said blank to properly position and grip the same priorto the movement of the die into operative position relative to the blankand the die member, a second die member having generally vertical wallsand an upper surface for receiving said bushing, said second press meansdirecting a downward and inward force against said partially bent legsso as to bend said legs against said vertical walls to a positionenclosing the ends of said bushing and perpendicular to the axisthereof, and means for feeding said blank from said first press means tosaid second press means.

13. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising meansfor partially bending said legs adjacent their juncture with saidbushing, a die member spaced from said partial bending means and havinggenerally vertical walls and an upper surface for receiving saidbushing, press means for bending said partially bent legs to a positionenclosing the ends of said bushing and perpendicular to the axisthereof, said press means including a pair of spaced, pivoted bendingmembers, means for pivoting said bending members toward said partiallybent legs so that they direct an inward and downward force on said legsto bend said legs against the generally vertical side walls of the diemember, thereby ensuring a strong bend at the juncture of each of saidlegs with said bushing, and means for advancing said blank from saidpartial bending means to said press means.

14. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising afirst station having a die member with downwardly and outwardly inclinedside walls and press means above said die member including resilientlymounted portions and a rigidly mounted die, said rigidly mounted diehaving surfaces adapted to mate with the downwardly and outwardlyinclined side walls of the die member, said die being above saidresiliently mounted portions when said press means is in its upperposition so that as said press means is moved toward said die membersaid resiliently mounted portions engage said blank to properly positionand grip the same prior to the movement of the die into operativeposition relative to the blank and the die member to partially bend saidlegs, a second station spaced from said first station including a seconddie member having generally vertical side walls and second press meansfor bending said partially bent legs to a position enclosing the ends ofsaid bushing and perpendicular to the axis thereof, said second pressmeans including a pair of spaced pivoted bending members and means forpivoting said bending members toward said partially bent legs so as todirect an inward and downward force on said legs to bend said legsagainst the generally vertical side walls of said second die member, andreciprocating feeding means for advancing said blank from said firststation to said second station.

15. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising alower die member having downwardly and outwardly inclined side walls andan indentation in the upper surface for receiving said bushing, and avertically movable press means mounted above said die member, said pressmeans including an upper die member rigidly mounted thereon and havinglower surfaces adapted to mate with said downwardly and outwardlyinclined side walls and resiliently mounted legs normally extendingbelow said upper die member so that as said press means is moveddownwardly toward said lower die member the blank is positioned andgripped by said legs prior to being engaged by said upper die member.

16. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing and a pair of legs extending outwardly inopposite directions from said bushing, the combination comprising alower die member having downwardly and outwardly inclined side walls andan indentation in the upper surface for receiving said bushing, and avertically movable press means mounted above said die member, said pressmeans including an upper die member rigidly mounted thereon and havinglower surfaces adapted to mate with said downwardly and outwardlyinclined side walls, resiliently mounted legs normally extending belowsaid upper die member, and a head mounted in said press means movablevertically relative thereto and normally urged downwardly, said legsbeing attached to said head for movement therewith, so that as saidpress means is moved downwardly toward said lower die member the blankis positioned and gripped by said legs prior to being engaged by theupper die member.

17. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and legs extending perpendicularlyto the axis of said bushing and enclosing the same, the combinationcomprising a first station having means for positioning said blank andmeans for piercing a hole in the free end of one of said legs, a secondstation having means for positioning said blank and means for piercing ahole in the free end of the other of said legs, and a reciprocatingfeeding slide which contacts the legs of said blank and advances saidblank from said first station to said second station.

18. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and legs extending perpendicularlyto the axis of said bushing and enclosing the same, the combinationcomprising a first positioning and piercing station having means forpositioning the free end of one of said legs relative to the axis ofsaid bushing and means for piercing the free end of said one of saidlegs at a predetermined distance from said axis, a second positioningand piercing station having means for positioning the free end of theother of said legs relative to said axis and means for piercing the freeend of said other of said legs at said predetermined distance from saidaxis, and means for transferring said blank from one station to theother.

19. In an apparatus for forming an integral chain link from a blankhaving a cylindrical bushing thereon and legs extending perpendicularlyto the axis of said bushing and enclosing the same, the combinationcomprising a support for said blank, means adjacent said supportnormally urging said blank away from the upper surface of said support,a resilient vertically movable member adapted to engage said blank andurge it against said support, a pair of inwardly movable, axiallyaligned, horizontally disposed pins having inwardly and downwardlyinclined upper faces, the axis of said pins being above 25 the axis ofsaid bushing when said bushing is against the upper surface of said diemember, cam means for moving said pins inwardly in response to downwardmovement of said resilient member so that said inclined upper facescontact the upper surface of said bushing and force said bushing andsaid legs upwardly to accurately position the same on said pins, andmeans for piercing a hole in the free end of each of said legs apredetermined distance from the axis of said bushing while said bushingis held in position by said pins.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 863,346 8/1907Berry 83389 1,015,324 1/1912 Kaufmann 153-13 1,503,884 8/1924 Curtis15313 1,720,133 7/1929 LeRoy 153-12 1,883,513 9/1931 Borton -2 153342,206,307 7/ 1940 Schneider.

2,793,536 5/1959 Onulak 74-250 FOREIGN PATENTS 149,429 8/ 1920 GreatBritain.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Examiner.

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN INTEGRAL CHAIN LINK FROM A BLANK HAVING A CYLINDRICAL BUSHING THEREON AND LEGS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID BUSHING, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING FIRST MEANS FOR PARTIALLY BENDING SAID LEGS ADJACENT THEIR JUNCTURE WITH SAID BUSHING, SECOND MEANS FOR BENDING SAID PARTIALLY BENT LEGS ADJACENT SAID JUNCTURE TO A POSITION PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF SAID BUSHING AND GENERALLY PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, MEANS FOR PIERCING HOLES IN THE FREE ENDS OF SAID LEGS A PREDETER- 